Improvement in letter-files



J. F. TAPLEY. Letter-File.

No. 213,852. Patented April I, 1879.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIGE.

JESSE F. TAPLEY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

IM PROVEMENT IN LETTER-Fl LES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,852, dated April 1, 1879 application filed February 25, 1878.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JESSE F. TAPLEY, of Springfield, county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Letter-Files, which improvements are fully set forth in the annexed specification and in the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide an alphabetical file for letters and other papers, which combines with the file itself a durable case or box, conveniently constructed for daily use, in combination with the file, and for preserving the contents thereof in exactly the same condition as when first deposited therein in proper order, said case or box being constructed with a properly-titled'back, on which can be inscribed matter indicating its contents and their proper dates, and in which its contents may be filed away for future reference, if it should seem desirable to so employ said case; or it may be used for holding succeeding files, as hereinafter set forth.

I am aware that file-boxes have heretofore been constructed in which provision has been made for placing papers therein in alphabetical order between sheets whose top edge was indexed; but in that case it was necessary to file away the box and its contents, in order that the proper index of the latter may be preserved. But I employ in combination with my file case or box a removable indexed file, which may, when filled with letters or other papers, or when containing letters up to the end of the month or quarter, or other time, be removed, if required, from its case, be properly tied together, and filed away separately, with its contents indicated by a label or otherwise on its back, and the case be supplied with another empty indexed file for the reception of current papers.

My improved file-case presents other advantages not embraced in those heretofore made, among which are, first, a double-hinged front side and cover; and, secondly, it is arranged so as to be hung by its-back to a hook inserted in the desk or other convenient place, in such a way that comparatively no time is needed for filing away letters therein, as they can, as soon as need be, be dropped into the case between the proper leaves of the file.

In the drawings, which consist of four figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my index-file and case combined. Fig. 2 is a view of the file-case closed and suspended on a hook. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the file and filecase. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the index-file removed from the case.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the fi ures.

A is the file-case. H is the end of the case. b is the front side of the case. S is the back side of the case. P is the back of the case. h are lips on the inner side of front I). d is the cover, hinged on the top of b. c c are elastic straps, attached to the front and rear of the case. 0 is a stay-tape, attached to lips h and to the ends H of the case A. B is theindexed file. e are the leaves of the file B. i are the outer covers of the file. K is a tying-tape. n is a hook-hole in back side, S, of the case. n is a hook-hole in cover d of the case. D is a desk or casement. a: is a hook.

My indexed file B is made with the outer thin covers, 42 c, which are continuous across the back 4: thereof. To the inner side of said back '0, between said covers, I attach permanently, parallel to said covers and to each other, the indexed leaves 6, but placed sufficiently far apart to provide ample space between them for the reception of such letters or papers as may be filed therein. Said leaves shave their edges cut and lettered in the ordinary way of indexing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

My file-case A is made with a back side, S, to which are secured the ends H and the back P; and hinged to the front edge of the latter at a is the front side of the case b, the latter having hinged to its top edge the cover d. On the inner face of front I), at each end, are secured the lips h, which shut inside of the ends H. To the edges of lips h and ends H, I attach the stay-tapes 0, one at each end of the case. Near the lower edge of the case I attach, from outside to outside,the elastic straps 0 c.

K is a tying-tape, attached to cover d. n and n are hook or tying holes in cover 11 and in back side, S, of case A. D represents a portion of a desk or casement, against which case A may be hung on a hook, w, as seen in Fig. 2.

The most convenient way to use my improved file and file-case is to suspend it, as shown in Fig. 2, near or upon desk I). where it is convenient to open it, as shown in Fig. 1, and so leave it during business hours, and deposit therein, in their proper places, letters and other papers which it may be desirous to file away, and close it subsequently, as shown in F i g. 2.

To keep the tile-covers i i back out of the way, and to temporarily or otherwise secure the file into the ease, I cement them partially to the inside of the case, but not so strongly that they cannot he removed therefrom without seriously defacing said covers, should it be desirable so to do.

When both ease and file are put away with their contents the said leaves remain attached to the case; but when it isdesired to use the ease for successive tiles, the former course should he pursued. However, I am able to manufacture and furnish my tiles and cases at so low a price that one can well afi'ord to use the ease and file in combination, and put both away with their contents as often as they may become filled, and so preserve the latter in good condition.

The case may be made with or without the elastic straps c c, and it made without them and hung upon a hook, .1, the front b will fall forward, as seen in Fig. 1, the front being held in that position by stay-tapes o, leaving the file open for the insertion of papers into their proper spaces between the leaves e but if it is desired that the case shall be kept closed up, the elastic straps should be attached, as shown.

The cover d may be fastened in a closed position by allowing the end of hook m to pass up through hole n in said cover, or by tying tape K through holes a and n or if it be desirable to secure the contents of the case from all intrusion, said cover may be locked to the back by a padlock.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- A letter-file consisting of a. case, A, having a hinged side, b, with elastic bands cand stays a. so as to open at the upper edge, and a series of indexed leaves, B, bound to a back, 1*,with intermediate uniform spaces, and adapted to and detachable from the case, all as set forth.

JESSE F. TAPLEY. \Vitnesses:

WM. 11. CHAPIN, II. A. CIIAPIN. 

